Palmer Hills Golf Course
Palmer Hills Golf Course is a public 18-hole, par-72 golf facility in Bettendorf, Iowa, serving Quad Cities golfers with green fees, PGA instruction, pro shop retail, the Palmer Grill, and The Forge Putting Course entertainment, plus Mizuno and Titleist club fitting events.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersBettendorf, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Palmer Hills Golf Course does
Palmer Hills Golf Course is a single-site, public 18-hole golf facility located at 2999 Middle Road in Bettendorf, Iowa, in the Quad Cities metropolitan area. The par-72 championship course was designed by William J. Spear, ASGCA, on land acquired from the David Palmer family in 1971, and opened for play in 1974 (the company website cites 1975 in one place). The property spans over 6,500 yards from the back tees and features rolling hills, ponds, a meandering creek affecting 11 holes, and 100-year-old oak trees. The course maintains an active program of tee-time access open to the public, with seasonal fall rates and capital reinvestment such as the 2017 Hole #10 green renovation.
The facility monetizes the property through a diversified set of revenue streams beyond green fees. The Forge Putting Course is a four-surface, 18-hole putting attraction open mid-April through September at $7 per admission, with structured bookings for birthday parties ($200), private rentals ($500 for two hours plus $200 per additional hour), and revenue-share fundraising events. On-site golf instruction is delivered by at least four PGA professionals and one apprentice (Jon Waddell, Butch Haverland, Shawna Elliott, Paul Delvecchio, and Alex Grell), covering private lessons, group clinics, club analysis, and repair. OEM fitting events with Mizuno and Titleist are scheduled on-site. The pro shop retails equipment and apparel, and the Palmer Grill restaurant (operated by a separate LLC, FDF.PHG LLC) provides food and beverage, including catering.
The go-to-market model is direct-to-consumer at a single physical location, supported by an online tee time booking system run on ForeUP software, an email newsletter subscription list, Facebook and X/Twitter accounts, and a partnership with the City of Bettendorf's community portal (bettendorf.org) that funnels registrations for summer golf clinics. The business has no disclosed parent company, no venture or institutional capital, and no indicated professional sports franchise or municipality as owner; sources reference Bettendorf.org email domains for staff, which suggests at least an administrative relationship with the City of Bettendorf, though precise municipal ownership is unconfirmed. The course has been recognized as 'Best Golf Course' in the 2006 Quad City Times Readers Choice awards and displays a 2025 award plaque.
Palmer Hills Golf Course firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Palmer Hills Golf Course
- Legal name
- Palmer Hills Golf Course
- Website
- https://palmerhillsgolf.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Palmer Hills Golf Course is a public 18-hole, par-72 golf facility in Bettendorf, Iowa, serving Quad Cities golfers with green fees, PGA instruction, pro shop retail, the Palmer Grill, and The Forge Putting Course entertainment, plus Mizuno and Titleist club fitting events.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Palmer Hills Golf Course industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Golf Course Recreation
- NAICS
- Golf Courses and Country Clubs (713910)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Golf Courses & Golf Facilities (MPAKAEAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Mini Golf & Attractions Centers (Mini Golf, Go-Karts, Laser Tag Complexes) (THAJAEAK)
Keywords
Where Palmer Hills Golf Course is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bettendorf
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Palmer Hills Golf Course business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Golf Course Green Fees: Revenue from green fees for 18-hole rounds of golf, with various tee options and seasonal pricing.
- The Forge Putting Course Admissions: Admission fees for the putting course attraction, operating mid-April through September.
- Golf Lessons and Instruction: Private and group golf lessons provided by PGA professionals, including club analysis and repair services.
- Club Fitting Services: Golf club and ball fitting events with partner brands including Mizuno and Titleist.
- Pro Shop Sales: Retail sales of golf equipment, apparel, and accessories through the on-site pro shop.
- Food and Beverage (Palmer Grill): Restaurant operations at Palmer Grill, providing food and refreshments to golfers and event guests.
- Event Rentals and Private Bookings: Revenue from private event rentals of The Forge, birthday parties, and fundraising events.
- Gift Cards: Sale of online gift cards through ForeUP software platform.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | The Forge Putting Course Admission |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Birthday Party Package |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Private Rental - The Forge |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Fundraising Event Sponsorship |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Palmer Hills Golf Course product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Palmer Hills Golf Course operates a public 18-hole par-72 golf course in Bettendorf, Iowa, designed by William J. Spear and opened in 1974. The facility offers tee-time golf play, The Forge Putting Course (18 holes of putting on real grass greens), PGA-led golf instruction, brand club fitting events, and event rentals including birthday parties, private functions, and fundraisers, supported by an on-site pro shop and Palmer Grill restaurant.
Product overview
Palmer Hills Golf Course operates as a single-facility leisure and recreation business offering golf-related products and services. The core offering is an 18-hole public golf course (Palmer Hills Golf Course) designed by William J. Spear, complemented by The Forge Putting Course with 18 holes of undulating real grass greens. The facility provides golf instruction services through PGA professionals (private lessons and group clinics), club fitting events in partnership with Mizuno and Titleist, and event venue rentals (private rentals, birthday parties, and fundraising events) at The Forge. Additional services include online tee time booking via ForeUP software and on-site dining through Palmer Grill. The product portfolio centers on golf recreation, instruction, and entertainment experiences at one Iowa location.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Forge Putting Course: A putting course featuring four massive putting surfaces offering 18 fun and engaging holes. Open mid-April through September from 10am until 90 minutes before sunset. Features real grass putting greens and a full-service patio with refreshments. Admission is $7.
- Palmer Grill
Products and services
- Palmer Hills Golf Course Award-winning public 18-hole par-72 championship golf course in Bettendorf, Iowa, measuring over 6,500 yards from black tees with rolling hills, 100-year-old oak trees, ponds, and a meandering creek in play on 11 holes; for recreational golfers of all skill levels with multiple tee options.
- The Forge Putting Course Putting course featuring four massive real-grass putting surfaces offering 18 holes of undulating greens with a full-service patio and refreshments; open mid-April through September for families, groups, and non-golfers at $7 per person admission.
- Golf Lessons Professional golf instruction in private and group settings delivered by PGA professionals Jon Waddell, Butch Haverland, Shawna Elliott, and Paul Delvecchio, including club analysis, club fittings, and repair services.
- Golf Club Fitting Events Brand-hosted club and ball fitting events at the course, including Mizuno golf club fittings and Titleist golf ball and club fittings, delivered by certified fitters; for golfers seeking custom-fit equipment.
- Palmer Grill Restaurant On-site restaurant operated by FDF.PHG LLC providing food, refreshments, and catering to golfers and event guests at the Palmer Hills facility.
- The Forge Private Rentals Private event rental of The Forge putting course for groups, including access to patio, concessions, putters, and golf balls; priced at $500 for 2 hours plus $200 per additional hour, available May 15 through September 15.
- The Forge Birthday Party Packages Birthday party package at The Forge putting course including 2 hours of reserved tables, 10 general admissions, 10 putters, 10 branded golf balls, drinks, frozen treats, and hot food for $200; available May 15 through September 15.
- The Forge Fundraising Events Fundraising event packages at The Forge with no upfront cost to reserve; organizations receive $3 per paid guest and an additional $1 per guest at 50+ guests, booked in 3-hour increments from May 15 through September 15.
- Online Tee Times and Gift Cards Online tee-time reservation and gift card purchase through the ForeUP software platform accessible via web and mobile.
Quantifiable outcome
- 18-hole championship golf course with over 6500 yards from black tees
Companies that use Palmer Hills Golf Course
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Palmer Hills Golf Course technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Palmer Hills Golf Course partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- TitleistminorTitleist golf ball fitting event on Wednesday, June 24th from 1pm-5:30pm, and Titleist golf club fitting event on Saturday, July 25th from 10am-3pm. Provides fitting services for golf balls and clubs using Titleist products.
- MizunominorMizuno golf club fitting event held at Palmer Hills Golf Course on Saturday, June 20th from 10am-1pm. Provides custom club fitting services for customers using Mizuno equipment.
- ForeUPcoreForeUP software platform powers online tee time booking and gift card sales for Palmer Hills. Website and booking system powered by ForeUP.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Palmer Hills Golf Course competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Drive Shack: Owner and operator of golf-entertainment venues (formerly NGCO). Comparable to Palmer Hills specifically through competition for casual and group entertainment golf spend — the same segment The Forge targets.
- Cabot (Cabot Cape Cod / Cabot Cliffs): Destination-focused golf and resort operator with F&B, instruction, and real estate. Comparable in operating a single-anchored, multi-revenue-stream golf business centered on a distinctive course and on-site amenities.
Broad incumbents
- ClubCorp / Invited Clubs: Owns and operates a national portfolio of country clubs and golf clubs with F&B, events, and instruction. Comparable for the membership, F&B, and diversified amenity model at a single golf-anchored facility.
- Heritage Golf Group: Manages and owns public and private golf clubs across the U.S., focused on regional and destination facilities. Directly comparable as a regional golf-course operator with F&B and event revenue.
- American Golf Corporation: Operates a large portfolio of public and private golf courses and country clubs across the U.S. Directly comparable as a multi-facility golf course operator targeting public-pay golfers with F&B and event services.
- TPC Network (PGA Tour): Operates a network of championship public-access golf courses with F&B, pro shops, and instruction. Comparable as a public-play golf course operator offering lessons, fittings, and event hosting.
- Troon Golf (Troon): Largest golf management company in the world, managing public, private, and resort courses. Comparable as a third-party manager of single-facility golf operations with F&B, retail, and instruction revenue streams.
- Pebble Beach Resorts: Premium golf-anchored resort with branded F&B, retail, and events. Comparable as a single-location public-facing golf brand with multiple ancillary revenue streams on one campus.
- Topgolf Callaway Brands: The dominant golf entertainment venue operator, combining F&B with tech-enabled golf play. Comparable to Palmer Hills because The Forge Putting Course competes for the same casual and group-event customer the Topgolf model targets.
Others
- Golf Galaxy: National golf retail chain offering club fittings, lessons, and equipment. Comparable as an adjacency for Palmer Hills' pro shop and club-fitting revenue streams.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Palmer Hills Golf Course social profiles
Digital presencePalmer Hills Golf Course financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Palmer Hills Golf Course leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Palmer Hills Golf Course funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Palmer Hills Golf Course M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Palmer Hills Golf Course
What does Palmer Hills Golf Course do?
Palmer Hills Golf Course operates a public 18-hole par-72 golf course in Bettendorf, Iowa, designed by William J. Spear and opened in 1974. The facility offers tee-time golf play, The Forge Putting Course (18 holes of putting on real grass greens), PGA-led golf instruction, brand club fitting events, and event rentals including birthday parties, private functions, and fundraisers, supported by an on-site pro shop and Palmer Grill restaurant.
Is Palmer Hills Golf Course a public or private company?
Palmer Hills Golf Course is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Palmer Hills Golf Course founded?
Palmer Hills Golf Course was founded in 1974. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Palmer Hills Golf Course based?
Palmer Hills Golf Course is headquartered in Bettendorf, United States, in the North America region.
How does Palmer Hills Golf Course make money?
Eight revenue lines are on record. Golf Course Green Fees are the primary driver. The others are the Forge Putting Course Admissions, golf Lessons and Instruction, club Fitting Services, pro Shop Sales, food and Beverage (Palmer Grill), event Rentals and Private Bookings and gift Cards.
Who are Palmer Hills Golf Course's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Drive Shack and Cabot (Cabot Cape Cod / Cabot Cliffs). Broad incumbents are ClubCorp / Invited Clubs, Heritage Golf Group, American Golf Corporation, TPC Network (PGA Tour), Troon Golf (Troon), Pebble Beach Resorts and Topgolf Callaway Brands. Golf Galaxy is listed as an others.
Does Palmer Hills Golf Course have an API?
No public API is recorded for Palmer Hills Golf Course.
What industry is Palmer Hills Golf Course in?
Palmer Hills Golf Course's product category is Public Golf Course Recreation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAKAEAD, Golf Courses & Golf Facilities, with a secondary code of THAJAEAK, Mini Golf & Attractions Centers (Mini Golf, Go-Karts, Laser Tag Complexes). Its NAICS code is 713910 and its SIC code is 7997.